iOS 7 requires users to re-enter the phone's Apple ID and password before turning off its "Find My iPhone" feature, which can be accessed via desktop (or another mobile device) to locate a missing device, display the missing device's remaining battery life, and remotely lock or even wipe the device. A photo of the NYPD flier taken by Michael Hoffman (@Hoffm)

Devices running iOS 7 also require an Apple ID and password before they can be erased or reactivated.

All this makes it much more difficult for thieves to use or sell stolen iPhones, which is apparently why the NYPD has come out in favor of the upgrade.

"NYPD have used 'Find My Phone' numerous times to help locate phones that were reported stolen," Sergeant Brendan Ryan of the NYPD Office of the Deputy Commissioner said in a statement to Tom's Guide.

That's not to say that iOS 7 is flawless, however. Two days after the OS went live, two researchers from California-based security firm Cenzic found a vulnerability in Siri, the voice-activated personal assistant, that lets people use locked phones to make calls, send text messages and emails and post updates to Twitter and Facebook.

The researchers recommend disabling Siri in iOS 7 until Apple issues a patch.

The NYPD's pro-iOS 7 fliers also tout the department's "Operation ID" program, a crime prevention initiative that attempts to curb thefts by engraving a police-registered serial number on residents' devices.

The NYPD hasn't made an official statement of support for iOS 7, but several New Yorkers have tweeted about the fliers.

Ryan confirmed that over the weekend following iOS 7's release the NYPD had set up information tables at Apple and Best Buy stores across the city. The main purpose was to get people enrolled in "Operation "the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau set up information tables at Apple and Best Buy stores in all five boroughs." The purpose was to get people enrolled in "Operation ID," but the officers also promoted iOS 7 because of its upgraded "Find My iPhone" feature.

"Since last May to Sept. 15, there have been at least 114 incidents in which patrol officers either using their own iPhones or iPhones allocated by the Department...recovered stolen property using Find My iPhone," said Ryan, adding that the incidents lead to 159 arrests and the recovery of 99 iPhones, 7 iPads, 2 iPods and 1 Macbook.

Makes me wonder if Apple paid them or what. Considering there are some pretty big security flaws that need patching it might be better to stay on a older more secure iOS than jump to the newest hole ridden iOS as a beta tester.